A Mobile Unit programme: features interviews and music recordings made by the Mobile Unit.
The name Ngāruawahia and its meaning.
About 300 years ago, a paramount chief of the district Te Ngaire married a chieftainess named Heke i Te Rangi whose father thought she had married beneath her. The chief invited his father-in-law to visit and decided to put on a show to impress the old man. He posted a sentry on the hill and soon as the old chief's canoe came in sight he called out "Ngāruawahia," meaning open the kumara pits.
1834. A mission station was set up at Ngāruawahia by Rev White. Mission work flourished in Ngāruawahia and by 1858 two schools had been built to cater for the needs of Māori children at Hopuhopu. One was a boarding school for Māori girls.
Also in 1858 the first Māori King, Kingi Potatau was invested.
On Dec 8th 1863 a despatch was sent to Sir George Grey from General Cameron to inform him that 500 men under his command were being sent to Ngāruawahia via the Waikato river, which was always afloat with steamboats and whaleboats.
Off and on Ngāruawahia has always had a Municipal Band since 1890, and in 1939 it won the C grade test, hymn test and the quick step selection of the South Auckland contest. The following year the band won the test selection, hymn test and secured the shield for the most musical points.
The following year they went into recess as a lot of the players were in the forces.
Then there was the building of Mahinarangi and Turongo, and the return of the 28 Māori Battalion, the story of the Ngaruawahia ghost and many other interesting stories.